Great news, good for you. Lots of sharp folks there, they will figure it out and give her the best chance.

WE ARE ALL THINKING OF YOU!

I'm so sorry you are going through this. What a terrible ordeal for both you and your dog. Hopefully, the veterinary college will be able to provide some answers and a treatment plan. Best of luck to you.

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WE ARE ALL THINKING OF YOU!

Hang in there Debbie, sending out healing wishes!

Debbie, we are all thinking of you and eagerly awaiting your return, I'm sure.

Bob, I was just talking about Adequan last night! So funny you'd mention it. I don't have anything against it, and in fact think it works quite well. So it might help with the arthritis from HD, but if she is having clear neuro symptoms I'm not sure if it would make much difference. But for arthritis pain, I've heard it works like a miracle drug.

I'm back! Sorry but this is going to be long.

This morning when I got up, I fed Sierra and gave her the meloxicam. As per usual, I let her relax for about an hour to let the pain meds kick in and then went down to get her out for a potty break.

As soon as she tried to move, she was screaming in pain so I let her lay back down. She kept trying to get up again so I knew she wanted to go out. I put a towel under her belly to help her but the trip out and back she was pretty much screaming and crying. She managed to poop but I couldn't get her to pee. Even when I got her back in her bed, she didn't stop crying.

I immediately called our vet and he said to bring her right in. I got my boyfriend to help me get her in the car and then follow me to the vet. Took us a few minutes to get her into the clinic and then she collapsed right inside the doors. I dragged her over to the middle of the floor and sat with her until the vet was ready to see us. Two of the girls there helped me get her into the room. Dr. Zbarsky checked her out and called OVC and booked an appointment with an emergency status.

We did some paperwork and he gave her a "whooping big dose of Cortizone" (his words). We let her lie there for about 20 minutes for the drugs to kick in and then got her loaded into the car and I drove the hour to OVC in Guelph.

When I got there, Sierra seemed a little more alert and wasn't crying as much; just the odd whimper. (Good drugs) One of the girls at OVC helped me get her into an exam room and one of the doctors came to see us about 10 minutes later.

They took her in a back room to check her over and then the neurologist came and spoke to me. He's thinking possible infection or a tumor affecting the spinal cord but concedes that the hip displaysia is an issue as well. They are keeping Sierra overnight and want to do x-rays and an MRI of her spine in the morning. He thinks she may have something minor going on in her neck as well and will probably MRI that as well just to make sure.

Emily from OVC has been assigned to Sierra and just called me to let me know that Sierra ate the dinner I left for her and seems comfortable. I guess they've got her on some pretty serious pain meds. I'm so glad she'll have a comfortable night. Emily is going to call me in the mornng to let me know how she managed during the night and then call me again after the MRI and x-rays are done. She was very impressed with how well behaved Sierra and commended me on having a well trained dog that was easy to handle even when she was obviously in pain.

Ok, my novellette is done. I'll sleep good tonight and wait for Emily's phone call in the morning. Thank you everybody for your support.

My most sincere thoughts and prayers.
Thank you so much for checking in with your internet dog-friends. I was really thinking about her today.

No need to apologize for anything... it was a LOT shorter than mine would have been in the same circumstances.

We are all very glad Sierra is getting this attention and you hopefully will get a good night's sleep. You both deserve it. Wishing you both all the best, and we are all rootin' for your girl. Hang in there.

I'll be thinking of you and Sierra this night.

Paws are crossed over here for both you and Sierra. I hope Sierra finds relief, and you get a diagnosis, hopefully which is something that can be resolved.

A dog in pain is hard to see. Even more so when it's 145 of Mastiff that is hard to help move about.

Debbie, I've been following your thread, just want to wish you and Sierra the best of luck! My thoughts are with you.